A Walking Paradise…
The world keeps on changing, but there is always something, somewhere, that remains the same.
Landour, a quaint town where time stands still.
Drive To Landour
We started our journey from Dehradun around 8 am and reached Mussoorie by 9 am. We had to go to Landour which is about a 30 minutes drive from Mussoorie. The drive from Mussoorie bazaar is quite steep and has very busy lanes, so drive cautiously. These highlands lead us to an attractively old-fashioned cantonment town – Landour. A town that got its name from a village in Wales called Llanddowror that took us back in time.
We visited Landour in January which was quite cold but the sun was very bright. The best time to visit Landour is throughout the year because of its pleasant and peaceful weather. If you love rain you can visit in August and September.
Breakfast At Char Dukan & Shopping At Sister’s Bazaar
After reaching Landour we had a delicious breakfast at Char Dukan, and unexpectedly these were very pocket friendly. If you are a couple like us, it would cost only around 300-500 Indian Rupees. Then we started a 2-3 hours walk that completed a full circle: Landour Bazaar, Char Dukan, Sisters Bazaar, Lal Tibba, DRDO ITM, Rokeby Manor and back to Char Dukan. It’s relatively steep, so please do it at your own pace.
While walking you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and do amazing photography. Later we reached Sister’s bazaar. Today, the Sister’s Bazaar is a corner with three shops and the Landour Bakehouse. One of the shops- The Prakash stores is popular among tourists for its local produce. Its peanut butter claims to be the first place in India where peanut butter was commercially made. We bought some of the yummy flavoured jams and chutneys for our friends and family, which is a nice thing to give as a souvenir.
Then we visited a handicraft shop just adjacent to the Prakash store which is also run by them. We bought some handmade postcards, Buddha incense sticks and a few showpieces for our home. After we enjoyed our shopping we walked again. Later crossing the halfway of Landour circle, the journey took us to a next level place, The Lal Tibba Binocular Café where the main attraction was a binocular installed on the terrace of the cafe at the cliff. Stretched in front are a series of 6000 m+ Himalayan peaks – Swargrohini, Bandarpoonch, Nanda Devi and some more. It was a mesmerizing view and we never saw such a landscape of the highest peaks. Wow!
Lunch At Ivy Cafe
Later we walked down to Char Dukan after completing the circle and straight away headed to IVY Café because we were quite hungry and wanted to have the best hot chocolate of this place. We also had big bites of Veggie Pizza and hotshot Potato wedges with 3 types of dips. This café is kind of a hippy-happy place which could cost 2 people around 1000 – 2000 Indian Rupees which is quite reasonable as compared to other cafes in big cities. After grabbing our lunch we looked around the café and its ambience is so attractive that you may want to stay for more time. But we had to go as we had other plans for the night with our friends.
So this was our one day tour to Landour and then we planned to drive back to Dehradun as our accommodation was booked.
Highlights Of Landour
To explore the hidden secrets of this secluded town, you can start from the below list of places:
- Char Dukan: Char Dukan is a series of four historic shops in Landour. It is situated away from the hustle of roads and noisy crowds. Here you can enjoy delicious pancakes of many flavours like Nutella, banana, chocolate, honey-cinnamon and more. During winters and rains, you can also enjoy pakoras, tea, coffee and of course Maggie which is just awesome. You can also try different types of tea here. These four shops serve great food and have an unbeatable view of the Himalayas. The shops here have books by Ruskin Bond, who is a regular visitor here. You can relax, read a book and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of this quaint and quiet place.
- Landour Bakehouse: One of the best cafes on the Landour streets is ‘Landour Bake House’, which is famous for its classic art and decorative charm. It is located near Sisters’ Bazaar which is a perfect fit for the serene vicinage. The interiors portray a look of the 19th-century kitchen that is meant for baking a variety of products. The menu from the Landour Cookbook culinary tradition is evident in every baked dish meant to represent an authentic slice of Landour’s culinary history. The menu comprises largely of fresh breads, cakes, pastries, muffins, tarts and assorted cookies. For some wholesome food, they have popular paneer tikka croissant which is a decent option. They also serve delicious crepes and toasties. Also, the coffee menu is fabulous, as is the artwork adorning the walls in the glorious old-fashioned setting. Worth a visit just for the beautiful decor and freshly baked Landour goodies. Do not forget to carry your favourite book; it can uplift your visit to this charming cafe.
- A Prakash & Co.: Situated in Sisters Bazaar which is essentially well-known for their homemade wide variety of jams, chutneys, marmalades and cheese. Best way to gift souvenirs to your loved ones. It has also served as an up-market grocery store for several decades. They also have a separate vintage shop that is famous for its Tibetan handicrafts like decorative items, clothing and fabrics, lanterns, vintage bells, wind chimes, hand-made dream catchers, postcards etc.
Cafe IVY: Cafe Ivy was started by three friends who always wanted to be surrounded by the majestic mountains, but didn’t see any place where people could come to eat and enjoy. Hence, they launched the cafe that serves lip-smacking dishes like pizzas, Maggie, some delicious tea cakes and not forgetting, their hot cups of cappuccino and hot chocolate. Music is groovy and so is the place. The stairs driving to the café builds up the excitement as they are flawlessly done with a canopy of driven lights and lovely bloom pots. One cannot miss an enormous copper pot put on the beat of the eatery. As with exteriors, the interiors too are very interesting, decorated with recycled wood and a lot of vintage stuff, just right to evoke the mountain feel. The fireplace completes the picture; you’d be tempted to have a cup of freshly brewed coffee. The lighting is amazing and contemporary. There is a sit-out deck that overlooks the gorgeous valley. So, whenever you’re in Landour next do not miss out on this café.
Where to stay in Landour
Accomodation here might be costly but if you are on a Leisure trip, then it is going to be a lifetime experience for you to stay in any of the listed cottages.
- Rokeby Manor: Located in the heart of Landour. The heritage hotel was originally built by Captain GN Cauthy in 1840. Every room is decorated with Victorian Era’s interior and artifacts. You can choose a private cabin, a suite or a room, They also have their outdoor Jacuzzi, SPA and a Salon so, when you are not exploring the town you can find yourself relaxing here. On Map
- La Villa Bethany: Hotel La Villa Bethany is a well manage homestay cum boutique hotel in Landour with cozy rooms and a friendly environment that offers a home away from home for travellers. It is an English cottage spread in an acre of the wooded area. There are 2 suites with a private balcony, 1 suite with a fireplace and 4 deluxe rooms. All the rooms have old world furniture and decoration. On Map
- Redburn Lodge: A cobbled-stone pathway leads you to this three-bedroom cottage nestled in a wooded patch of land. Tall glass windows let you soak in the sunshine as you curl up in one of the cozy nooks of this charming homestay. On Map
- Rockvilla by Baaya: This villa surrounded by deodar, pine and oak trees makes for an idyllic getaway with surreal views of the Himalayas and the Doon Valley. When you’re not lounging in one of the many sunny corners at this property, head out for a trek through the 110-acre forest that forms a part of the Jabarkhet nature reserve, with an ecosystem inhabiting deers, birds and even the Himalayan goral. On Map
